User:Ferrylodge/EarlyMcCain

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

[edit] Early life and military career

Main article: Early life and military career of John McCain

[edit] Formative years and education

John McCain at the Naval Academy in Annapolis
John McCain at the Naval Academy in Annapolis

John McCain's early life began in the tropics. He was born on August 29, 1936, at Coco Solo Naval Air Station[1] in Panama within the then-American-controlled Panama Canal Zone to Navy officer John S. McCain, Jr. (1911–1981) and Roberta (Wright) McCain (b. 1912). His father and paternal grandfather both eventually became United States Navy admirals.[2] McCain has Scots-Irish[3] and English[4] ancestry.

McCain's family (including his older sister Sandy and younger brother Joe)[1] followed his father to various naval postings in the United States and the Pacific; altogether he attended about twenty different schools.[5] As a child, John had a quick temper, and an aggressive drive to compete and prevail.[6][7] In 1951, the family settled in Northern Virginia and McCain attended Episcopal High School, a private preparatory boarding school in Alexandria.[8] There he excelled at wrestling[9] and graduated in 1954.[7]

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, McCain entered the United States Naval Academy. He was a friend and leader for many of his classmates, and stood up for people who were being bullied; he was also a feisty lightweight boxer.[10][11] McCain had run-ins with higher-ups and he was disinclined to obey every rule, which contributed to a low class rank (894/899) that he did not aim to improve.[12][13][14][15] McCain did well in academic subjects that interested him,[16] and his graduation in 1958 gave him an opportunity to show the same mettle as his naval forbears.[13]

[edit] Naval training, early assignments, first marriage, and children

McCain (front right) with his squadron and T-2 Buckeye trainer in 1965.
McCain (front right) with his squadron and T-2 Buckeye trainer in 1965.

John McCain's pre-combat duty began when he was commissioned an ensign. He started two and a half years of training as a naval aviator at Pensacola,[17] where he also earned a reputation as a party man.[5] Graduating from flight school in 1960,[18] he became a naval pilot of attack aircraft. McCain then spent several years stationed in A-1 Skyraider squadrons[19] on the aircraft carriers USS Intrepid and USS Enterprise,[20] in the Caribbean Sea and in the Mediterranean Sea.[21] During his training and deployments he survived two airplane crashes and a collision with power lines.[21]

On July 3, 1965 McCain married Carol Shepp, a model originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[12] McCain adopted her two children Doug and Andy,[22] who were five and three years old at the time;[20] he and Carol then had a daughter named Sidney in September 1966.[23][24]

McCain requested a combat assignment,[25] and in December 1966 was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, flying A-4 Skyhawks.[26][27]

[edit] Vietnam operations

McCain's combat duty began when he was thirty years old. In Spring 1967, Forrestal was assigned to join Operation Rolling Thunder, a bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.[12][28] McCain and his fellow pilots were frustrated by Rolling Thunder's infamous micromanagement from Washington;[29] he would later write that "The target list was so restricted that we had to go back and hit the same targets over and over again.... Most of our pilots flying the missions believed that our targets were virtually worthless. In all candor, we thought our civilian commanders were complete idiots who didn’t have the least notion of what it took to win the war."[28]

By then a Lieutenant Commander, McCain was almost killed in action on July 29, 1967, while serving on Forrestal, operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. He was at the epicenter of the Forrestal fire, when a rocket accidentally fired across the carrier's deck and hit planes, including McCain's which had been waiting to launch. McCain escaped from his burning jet and was trying to help another pilot escape when a bomb exploded; McCain was struck in the legs and chest by shrapnel.[30] The ensuing fire killed 134 sailors and took 24 hours to control.[31][32] As Forrestal headed for repairs, McCain volunteered to join the short-staffed USS Oriskany.

[edit] Prisoner of war

John McCain was flying an A-4E Skyhawk like this one (from a different Oriskany squadron) in 1967, when he was shot down.
John McCain was flying an A-4E Skyhawk like this one (from a different Oriskany squadron) in 1967, when he was shot down.

John McCain's capture and imprisonment began on October 26, 1967. He was flying his twenty-third bombing mission over North Vietnam, when his A-4E Skyhawk was shot down by a Soviet-made SA-2 anti-aircraft missile over Hanoi.[33][34][35][36] McCain fractured both arms and a leg,[37] and then nearly drowned when he parachuted into Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi.[33] After he regained consciousness, a mob gathered around, spat on him, kicked him, and stripped him of his clothes.[38] Others crushed his shoulder with the butt of a rifle and bayoneted him in his left foot and abdominal area; he was then transported to Hanoi's main Hoa Loa Prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton" by American POWs.[38][39]

Although McCain was badly wounded, his captors refused to give him medical care unless he gave them military information, beating and interrogating him.[38] Only when the North Vietnamese discovered that his father was a top admiral did they give him medical care[38] and announced his capture. His status as a POW made the front pages of The New York Times[40] and The Washington Post.[41]

McCain spent six weeks in the Hoa Loa hospital, receiving marginal care.[33] Now having lost 50 pounds, in a chest cast, and with his hair turned white,[33] McCain was sent to a different camp on the outskirts of Hanoi[42] in December 1967, into a cell with two other Americans who did not expect him to live a week; they nursed McCain and kept him alive.[43] In March 1968, McCain was put into solitary confinement, where he would remain for two years.[38]

In July 1968, McCain's father was named commander of all U.S. forces in the Vietnam theater.[1] McCain was immediately offered a chance to return home early:[33] The North Vietnamese wanted a worldwide propaganda coup by appearing merciful, and also wanted to show other POWs that elites like McCain were willing to be treated preferentially.[38] McCain turned down the offer of repatriation; he would only accept the offer if every man taken in before him was released as well.[44] McCain's refusal to be released was even remarked upon by North Vietnamese senior negotiator Le Duc Tho to U.S. envoy Averell Harriman during the ongoing Paris Peace Talks.[45]

McCain being pulled out of Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi and about to become a prisoner of war on October 26, 1967.
McCain being pulled out of Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi and about to become a prisoner of war[46] on October 26, 1967.

In August of 1968, a program of severe torture methods began on McCain, using rope bindings into painful positions, and beatings every two hours, at the same time as he was suffering from dysentery.[38][33] McCain made an anti-American propaganda "confession" that said he was a "black criminal" and an "air pirate".[33] He has always felt that his statement was dishonorable,[47] but as he would later write, "I had learned what we all learned over there: Every man has his breaking point. I had reached mine."[38] His injuries left him permanently incapable of raising his arms above his head.[48] He subsequently received two to three beatings per week because of his continued refusal to sign additional statements.[49] Other American POWs were similarly tortured and maltreated in order to extract "confessions",[38] with many enduring even worse treatment than McCain.[50]

McCain refused to meet with various anti-war peace groups coming to Hanoi, not wanting to give either them or the North Vietnamese a propaganda victory based on his connection to his father.[38] From late 1969 on, treatment of McCain and some of the other POWs became more tolerable after disclosures to the world press of the conditions to which they were being subjected.[38] McCain and other prisoners were moved around to different camps at times, and later cheered the B-52-led U.S. "Christmas Bombing" campaign of December 1972 as a forceful measure to force North Vietnam to terms.[38][51]

President Richard Nixon greets the released John McCain.
President Richard Nixon greets the released John McCain.

Altogether, McCain was held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for five and a half years. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, ending direct U.S. involvement in the war, but the Operation Homecoming arrangements for POWs took longer; McCain was finally released from captivity on March 15, 1973.[52]

[edit] Return to United States

McCain's return to the United States reunited him with his wife and family. His wife Carol had suffered her own crippling, near-death ordeal during his captivity, due to an automobile accident in December 1969.[53] As a returned POW, McCain became a celebrity of sorts.[54][38] The photograph at right of him on crutches shaking the hand of President Richard Nixon during a White House reception for returning POWs became iconic.[53]

McCain underwent treatment for his injuries, including months of grueling physical therapy,[55] and attended the National War College in Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. during 1973–1974.[53][18] By late 1974 McCain had recuperated enough to have his flight status reinstated,[53] and he became Commanding Officer of a large A-7 Corsair II Navy training squadron stationed in Florida.[53][18][56] McCain's leadership abilities were credited with turning around a mediocre unit and winning the squadron its first Meritorious Unit Commendation.[55] During this period, the McCains' marriage began to falter;[57] he would later say he was to blame.[57]

[edit] Senate liaison and second marriage

Interview with McCain on April 24, 1973, after his return home.
Interview with McCain on April 24, 1973, after his return home.

McCain served as the Navy's liaison to the U.S. Senate, beginning in 1977.[58] Returning to the Washington, D.C. area, he became leader of the Senate liaison operation, and would later say it represented "[my] real entry into the world of politics and the beginning of my second career as a public servant."[53] McCain played a key behind-the-scenes role in gaining congressional financing for a new supercarrier against the wishes of the Carter administration.[59][55]

In 1979,[55] McCain met and began a relationship with Cindy Lou Hensley, a teacher from Phoenix, Arizona, whose father was a wealthy Anheuser-Busch distributor.[57] By then McCain's naval career had stalled;[60] it was unlikely he would ever be promoted to admiral as his grandfather and father had been,[55] because he had poor annual physicals and had been given no major sea command.[61]

His wife Carol accepted a divorce in February of 1980,[55] and the uncontested divorce occurred on April 2, 1980.[22] The settlement included two houses, and financial support for her ongoing medical treatments resulting from the 1969 automobile accident; they would remain on good terms.[57] McCain and Hensley were married on May 17, 1980.[12]

McCain retired from the Navy on April 1, 1981,[62] as a Captain.[63] During his military career, he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross.[64]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Timberg, American Odyssey, 17-34.
  2. ^ Barone, Michael; Ujifusa, Grant (1999). The Almanac of American Politics. Washington, D.C.: National Journal, 111. ISBN 0-8129-3194-7. 
  3. ^ "The Spirit of Endurance", Irish America, August–September 2006. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ Ancestry of Sen. John McCain, William Addams Reitwiesner
  5. ^ a b "McCain's WMD Is A Mouth That Won't Quit", Associated Press via USA Today, 2007-11-04. 
  6. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 19.
  7. ^ a b Arundel, John. "Episcopal fetes a favorite son", Alexandria Times, 2007-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. 
  8. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 22.
  9. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 28.
  10. ^ Nowicki, Dan & Muller, Bill. "John McCain Report: At the Naval Academy", The Arizona Republic, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-10. 
  11. ^ Bailey, Holly. "John McCain: 'I Learned How to Take Hard Blows'", Newsweek, 2007-05-14. Retrieved on 2007-12-19. 
  12. ^ a b c d John McCain. Iowa Caucuses '08. Des Moines Register. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  13. ^ a b Timberg, Nightingale's Song, 31-35.
  14. ^ Timberg, Nightingale's Song, 41–42.
  15. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 130–131, 141–142.
  16. ^ Woodward, Calvin. "McCain's WMD is a mouth that won't quit", USA Today, Associated Press, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-03-13. 
  17. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 32.
  18. ^ a b c McCain: Experience to Lead. johnmccain.com (2007-11-02). Retrieved on 2007-11-10.
  19. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 156.
  20. ^ a b Feinberg, Barbara Silberdick (2000). John McCain: Serving His Country. Millbrook Press. ISBN 0761319743.  p. 18
  21. ^ a b Timberg, American Odyssey, 66–68.
  22. ^ a b Alexander, Man of the People, 92.
  23. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 33.
  24. ^ Jennifer Steinhauer. "Bridging 4 Decades, a Large, Close-Knit Brood", The New York Times, 2007-12-27. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. 
  25. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 167–168.
  26. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 172–173.
  27. ^ VA-46 Photograph Album. The Skyhawk Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
  28. ^ a b McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 185–186.
  29. ^ Karaagac, John (2000). John McCain: An Essay in Military and Political History. Lexington Books. ISBN 0739101714.  pp. 81–82.
  30. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 72–74.
  31. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 177–179.
  32. ^ US Navy. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - Forrestal. (States either Aircraft No. 405 piloted by LCDR Fred D. White or No. 416 piloted by LCDR John McCain was struck by the Zuni.)
  33. ^ a b c d e f g Nowicki, Dan & Muller, Bill. "John McCain Report: Prisoner of War", The Arizona Republic, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-10. 
  34. ^ Cronin, Michael; Day, Bud; Gaither, Ralph; Galanti, Paul; Schierman, Wesley and Swindle, Orson (2007-10-26). A Trip Downtown - Forty Years of Leadership. johnmccain.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-10.
  35. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 183, 186.
  36. ^ John McCain: Courageous Service. John McCain 2008. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. Event occurs at 03:22.
  37. ^ In search of the old magic. The Economist (2007-05-31). Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lieut. Commander John S. McCain III, United States Navy. "How the POW's Fought Back", U.S. News & World Report, 1973-05-14 (reposted under title "John McCain, Prisoner of War: A First-Person Account", 2008-01-28). Retrieved on 2008-01-29. 
  39. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 79.
  40. ^ Apple Jr., R. W.. "Adm. McCain's son, Forrestal Survivor, Is Missing in Raid", The New York Times, 1967-10-28. Retrieved on 2007-11-11. 
  41. ^ "Admiral's Son Captured in Hanoi Raid" (fee required), Associated Press via The Washington Post, 1967-10-28. Retrieved on 2008-02-09. 
  42. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 83.
  43. ^ Kaplan, Robert. "Rereading Vietnam", The Atlantic Monthly, August 24, 2007.
  44. ^ Vietnam War—Senator John McCain of Arizona Biography
  45. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 209. Harriman's September 13, 1968 cable said: "At tea break Le Duc Tho mentioned that DRV had intended to release Admiral McCain's son as one of the three pilots freed recently, but he had refused."
  46. ^ Image 1 of 8. Republican Presidential Candidate Senator John McCain. Chicago Tribune (2000-02-23). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
  47. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 95 and 118.
  48. ^ Todd S. Purdum. "Prisoner of Conscience", Vanity Fair, February 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-19. 
  49. ^ Alexander, Man of the People, 60.
  50. ^ McCain, Faith of My Fathers, 194, 224–225, 321.
  51. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 106–107.
  52. ^ Tapper, Jake. "McCain goes back", Salon, 2000-04-25. Retrieved on 2007-11-10. 
  53. ^ a b c d e f Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. "John McCain Report: Back in the USA", The Arizona Republic, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-10. 
  54. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 111.
  55. ^ a b c d e f Kristof, Nicholas. "P.O.W. to Power Broker, A Chapter Most Telling", The New York Times, February 27, 2000. Retrieved on 2007-04-22. 
  56. ^ . "Dictionary of American naval Aviation Squadrons — Volume 1" (PDF). . Naval Historical Center
  57. ^ a b c d Nowicki, Dan and Muller, Bill. "John McCain Report: Arizona, the early years", The Arizona Republic, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-21. 
  58. ^ Frantz, Douglas, "THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE ARIZONA TIES; A Beer Baron and a Powerful Publisher Put McCain on a Political Path", The New York Times, pp. A14, February 21, 2000, URL retrieved November 29, 2006.
  59. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 132–134.
  60. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 135.
  61. ^ Timberg, American Odyssey, 135.
  62. ^ Retired – Captains. U.S. Naval Register (2007-12-17). Retrieved on 2008-02-17. Select "Retired", "Captains", and enter Last Name "McCain" to search.
  63. ^ "Just the facts about McCain", The Arizona Republic. 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.
  64. ^ "Candidate profile of John McCain", Election 2000, U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved on 2006-11-17.